The correct answer is to attach a bucket policy that denies requests when aws:SecureTransport is false. This works because the aws:SecureTransport condition key evaluates whether the request was sent over HTTPS; when set to false, the request is using plain HTTP, and a Deny effect on that condition blocks unencrypted transit. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish between encryption in transit (enforced via bucket policy conditions) and encryption at rest (enforced via default encryption or SSE-S3). A common trap is confusing default encryption—which only encrypts stored objects—with transit encryption, so remember that a bucket policy with a Deny on aws:SecureTransport false is the only way to force HTTPS for every access. Memory tip: think “SecureTransport = Secure Transit” to link the condition key directly to enforcing encrypted data movement.
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company has an S3 bucket that contains sensitive data. The security team wants to ensure that all access to the bucket is encrypted in transit. Which policy should be attached to the bucket to enforce this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Attach a bucket policy that denies requests when aws:SecureTransport is false.
Option D is correct. An S3 bucket policy with a condition that denies access if the request does not use aws:SecureTransport (HTTPS) ensures encryption in transit. Option A (enable default encryption) is for at-rest encryption. Option B (require encryption using SSE-S3) is also at-rest. Option C (use CloudFront) does not enforce HTTPS for direct access.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Configure a bucket policy that denies requests that do not include the x-amz-server-side-encryption header.
Use Amazon CloudFront to serve the content and require HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
CloudFront can require HTTPS, but direct S3 access would still be possible without HTTPS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Attach a bucket policy that denies requests when aws:SecureTransport is false. — Option D is correct. An S3 bucket policy with a condition that denies access if the request does not use aws:SecureTransport (HTTPS) ensures encryption in transit. Option A (enable default encryption) is for at-rest encryption. Option B (require encryption using SSE-S3) is also at-rest. Option C (use CloudFront) does not enforce HTTPS for direct access.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company wants to ensure that all data sent to an S3 bucket is encrypted in transit. Which policy statement should be added to the bucket policy?
easy
A.Allow if aws:SecureTransport is false
B.Deny unless aws:SecureTransport is false
C.Allow if aws:SecureTransport is true
✓ D.Deny if aws:SecureTransport is false
Why D: Option C is correct because the condition 'aws:SecureTransport' with 'true' ensures that requests must use HTTPS. Option A is wrong because it denies HTTPS. Option B is wrong because it allows HTTP. Option D is wrong because it allows both.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This SCS-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SCS-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.